Kindly re-read Parts 25,26 and 27 before reading this chapter as it's been so long since I last updated.

"The little games between a husband and wife make the marriage much more beautiful than it seems." ~ Subhadra

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"And weren't supposed to be with Satyaki now Kanha?" Brata Balram began, in an attempt to avoid the question addressed at him.

"I should. But had I obeyed your order, who would have saved my sister's family from you?" Brata Krishna laughed as he walked towards me.

"Bratashri!" I exclaimed, hugging him as rightly as I could. Letting out a chuckle, he placed his hand on my head.

"Putravati bhava!" I widened my eyes and stared at him until it felt that my eyes would pop out of the socket. I looked around to find none paying attention to us.

Heaving a sigh of relief, I looked back at Brata Krishna and raised an eyebrow, "Wasn't it Kalyan ho all the while?"

He flashed his mischievous smile at me and bent to whisper into my ears, "Because at that time, you weren't married but now, your husband is with you.." He paused and I tried hard to not blush, reminiscing the events before my family arrived.

"... and I just get to know what's going on around.." He finished in a bland tone now. I bit my lower lip and looked away from him to form words. Just then, the words of Brata Nakul distracted both of us.

"We could have come together.. but this was such an unexpected coincidence!" Brata Nakul began. Brata Bheem and Brata Sahadev gave him an embarrassed smile.

"Well Arya, how did you think that we would leave Subhadra to celebrate her birthday without us.." Jiji asked proudly and Brata Yudhisthir agreed.

"I have almost lied today to visit her.. and that's not something I do often.." He said and I felt a huge smile decorate my lips. He was always calm and not very vocal about his emotions, but when it came to actions, he made sure to never let me feel like he wasn't my brother by blood.

Arya gazed at my reaction and smiled widely. He enjoyed when his family, especially his wives felt loved. One by one, I took the blessings of the family members and now it was time for gifts.

All of us sat down in a circle with Arya, Brata Krishna, Brata Nakul, Brata Sahadev towards my left and Brata Balram, Brata Yudhisthir, Jiji and Brata Bheem to my right.

Jiji took it to herself to begin the session by giving me a necklace studded with the gems of purple and green. It was the most beautiful combination I had ever seen.

"Jiji!" I exclaimed and leapt forward embracing her. She kissed me on my cheek, stroking my hair gently with her fingers. I broke the hug and shifted places with Brata Yudhisthir to discuss about the jewel.

"This gem is so beautiful. From where did you.." We started the discussion and Arya looked at his brothers and mine. It was a known fact to all of them that we could speak about things for hours, no matter how tiny and silly they were.

"I guess we are being the third wheel here.." Brata Nakul began, after a few minutes and we looked at him and then at everyone else around us.

"Yes Nakul, now I feel that we should have sent Panchali and Subhadra on this mini exile. I am sure they would enjoy each other's company than ours." Arya mocked playfully and we looked at each other.

"We don't have a problem there." Jiji replied with an enthusiastic smile and I chuckled.

"And we aren't at fault here.. it's because of you.." I replied, looking straight into Arya's eyes and noticed his expressions go for a toss, "Me?"

"Yes! You always begin your conversations with the political affairs and by the time we finish talking about everyone's plots and traps and the possible remedies, it is either time to sleep or time for you to resume your duties..." I replied.

"And that's when I come into the picture.. being girls, we always talk about things outside politics like.. our health issues.." Jiji was cut in between by Brata Bheem.

"You are unwell Panchali?" He asked and Jiji passed him an affectionate smile.

"No Arya! I just gave an example. I am in the best of my health." Jiji replied and they shared a small eye lock.

"You didn't ask me Brata but I am well too!" I said breaking their eye lock. He stammered while trying to respond to me, "No.. I ... was just being a good.. husband.. of course, I'm equally.. worried about you.. too.."

"Of course Bhadra! He's just being a good husband.." Brata Krishna imitated him and we all shared a good laugh.

"Anyways, Bhadra.. here's my gift for you.." Brata Bheem said, trying to divert our attention from him. I opened the platter and found a green dish. Looking up at him again, he smiled at me and said that he supervised the cook and got it specially made for me.

I smiled and bent over to smell the dish when Arya stopped me, "Subhadra.. taste it.. look Brata Bheem is very eager.." I nodded innocently at him and took a spoon of the kheer. As I tasted it, I tried my level best to smile and not break his heart.

"Bhadra, come on, finish the kheer.. sweets for the birthday girl!" He cheered and for the first time in my life, I felt like cursing him under my breath.

"Definitely... Arya.. this... is so tasty that I just can't control my tears.. I'm so happy today.." I said as my tongue turned bitter due to the bitter kheer, too bitter that I couldn't even bear it.

After swallowing the next few spoons, my taste buds had gotten accustomed to the bitterness and I was able to eat the next few spoons with no issues.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw the surprised faces of the twins and soon understood that it was a prank from them. Arya was also oscillating between his younger brothers and me which was enough to understand that he was also involved in it.

"It's tasty, is it?" Brata Nakul asked me curiously.

"What do you mean by that question Nakul? I took utmost care to ensure that the kheer was prepared in the best manner possible.." Brata Bheem replied. Brata Nakul gave a bewildered look and I took a spoon ful of kheer and approached him.

"Why don't you taste it Brata?" I asked and he knew he had dug a grave for himself.

"Sure..." He replied and smiled as he let me feed him. Brata Nakul looked like he was eating the most terrible food in the entire world.

"Umm.. I'll just be back" Brata Sahadev quickly excused himself to avoid eating the kheer they'd spiked. I now smirked at my next target, my Arya. He gulped and made the most cutest face I had ever seen him make.

Now with that much level of cuteness, I couldn't help but give up for the time being. I sat back between Jiji and Brata Balram. It was Brata Nakul's turn now.

By his expression, I could say that he was planning something crooked in his mind. He hid his smile and began, "Sahadev and I will give you and Brata a gift once you return to the palace."

"Why?" Arya asked.

"Because you both are going to enjoy doing it but we need to be there for constant supervision." He said and Arya looked at me before submitting to him.

"Now, what is Arya going to gift his wife?" Jiji teased and Arya looked at everyone confused. He had already played his role but all thanks to me, he can't even say it out.

As he struggled with his words, I began, "Arya has already gifted me this ring in the morning before we left the palace. This is one of my favourite diamonds."

I showed Jiji the ring and Arya heaved a sigh of relief. After having dinner together, it was time for everyone to retire to the palace. As I stood by the door step, Brata Krishna came up to me.

"You're not embarrassing me further Bratashri!" I said and he gave me a faint smile.

"I just wanted to emphasise on something Bhadra. Perhaps, I may or may not get enough time afterwards to say this." And with this, he paused as though unsure of whether he had to proceed.

And that was the first time I saw my brother confused about an event in his life, "Bratashri?" I repeated.

He looked at Arya coming from behind me and smiled a smile that did not reach his eyes. As confused as I was, I couldn't read anything that his eyes conveyed. He sighed, "Enjoy this time Bhadra! Who knows, after going back to Indraprasth, Parth may get busy with the Rajsurya Yagna preparations and not be available.."

"Madhav, you too?" Arya got out in a low tone. I knew I had to intervene to make the situation light, otherwise these two best friends were in a mood to spread confusion and melancholy that too on my birthday.

I came back inside the house after waving a bye to my family. Arya too came inside and sat on the bed.

"I'm sad." He said as he saw me assembling the gifts I had received.

"Why?"

"Nobody got anything for me. And neither did anybody miss me. Everyone came only to meet you.." He said crossing his hands with a pout.

And my inner self just wanted to pamper him like I would pamper a young kid. Being the youngest kid to Bua Kunti, Arya always had this desire to be the centre of attraction.

I took a small step towards him but stopped. Looking at me in my own thoughts, he laid down on the bed. I took out the part of the kheer I had saved for him and quickly hurried back.

"The old lady at the shop gave me this barfi as it was their Princess' birthday. Want me to feed you?"

No response.

"Arya?" I called out even more sweetly this time hearing which I would also suspect, if I was in his place.

Arya lifted his head and looked at me with the bowl in my hand. He stared for a few seconds like a cat at a rat, but gave in and sat up on the bed opening his mouth like a little kid.

"Sorry darling." I whispered and fed him a spoon of the bitter kheer. And as the signals flowed from his taste buds to his brain, he gave me the most brutal expression I had ever seen him give.

"Unfortunately, this excess extra sweetness in your voice couldn't match up to the bitterness of this kheer." He said in an almost dead tone.

I whined and sat beside him with a thud. "You are giving me the complete opposite reactions!"

He whispered to himself, loud enough for me to hear, "This is Karma for what you did in the morning."

"Did you say something?" I faked ignorance.

"Nothing!" He said bluntly and looked away from me. I smiled playfully and circled my arm around his arm and looked at him innocently.

He looked first at my arm and then at me and tried to put up a frown to hide the small smile that curved the ends of his lips. I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder.

Though not looking at him, I knew he had a broad smile on his face. I felt a small weight on my head and from the corner of my eyes, I could see him resting his head on mine.

My birthday.
Him by my side.
In Dwarka.

Life seemed no less than a fairytale.

* * *

Here's the next update of this book. Phew, it's been almost a decade since I updated. Kindly make sure you re read the plot of Subhadra's birthday for better continuity.

I guess I am the only writer who has stretched the birthday of her character by nearly two years xD anyways, I hope everyone liked this chapter.

Its been more than 2 years, so I'm not in that zone yet regarding this book but I'm trying to cope and I hope it doesn't appear discontinuous while reading.

I know th previous plot was about a secret admirer but I'm incorporating that sub plot in the first book, Story through my eyes. So, please be patient and I'm sure you'll be able to read a better version there.

Please vote, comment and share your thoughts with me. I'm not sure what readers want to read actually.. as it's been 2 years now and I am grateful to everyone who has sticked to this book, no matter how bad I've been with updating.

Loads to love to each one of you!
Take care everyone.
Signing off,
Me!